Suspension Failure

I have just returned to Wales after visiting friends and relations in East Anglia, the roads were surprisingly clear and I was really enjoying the trip until.



The off side front suspension collapsed veering me into the oncoming traffic. It didn't half s*&t up the woman driving towards me at the time as my car veered towards her and the bonnet momentarily popped up.
The front vertical link had failed while travelling at about 50mph.

You may be able to see in this second image the mark on the road as the car ground to a halt on the lower wishbone




Lastly the offending vertical link, as removed moments ago, having been recovered from Oxfordshire to Monmouthshire.